LC Smith Baker Three Barrel Gun 10 GA/.41 Rifle/Shotgun Drilling, Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,505.00

WOA#: WY240611RD034

Make: L. C. Smith

Model: Baker Three Barrel Gun

Serial Number: 323

Year of Manufacture: 1880-1888

Gauge/Caliber: 10 GA Black Powder Only. The rifle barrel is approximately .41 Caliber, straight wall. The chamber should be cast to confirm exact chambering before firing.

Action Type: Front Trigger Opening, External Hammers, Three Barreled Combination Shotgun/Rifle (Drilling)

Barrel Length: 30″

Choke: Both Cylinder Bore, both Fixed

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead fixed to the front of the rib. There is a folding tang sight mounted to the top tang. The sight has a slider with a “V”-notch at the top and an aperture below. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut. The forend has a metal nosecap with a schnabel shape and is secured to the barrels with a wedge. The buttstock has a pistol grip, straight comb and checkered horn buttplate. There are black diamonds inlaid to each side of the wrist. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable in the forend. There is a crack at the bottom-rear of the forend, at each wedge-escutcheon, and there are some cracks in the wrist. There are a few tiny losses around the top edges of the forend. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The has scattered light nicks and wear with well defined checkering. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition as refinished and repaired Antique.

Type of Finish: Browned, Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, serial-numbered parts are matching.

Bore Condition: The shotgun bores are semi-bright with scattered minor erosion and some dents visible in the bores. The rifle bore is light gray with even minor erosion and sharp rifling. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This gun retains about 35% of its metal finish. Much of the shotgun barrels’ browned finish has muted or worn with strong damascus patterning showing. The rifle barrel has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with a little finish around the forend lug. The receiver has some scattered case color with other areas muted or worn to white. There is some good blue finish in the top tang with a little more wear in the guard. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The barrels have some scattered dents. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The action is opened by pushing forward on the front trigger. There is a switch in front of the front trigger which is used to select the rifle barrel, the left hammer must be cocked to engage the rifle barrel. We have not fired this gun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The history of the L.C. Smith firearms is quite interesting. L. C. Smith formed a partnership with L. H. Smith and W.H. Baker to manufacture shotguns in 1877, making both double barrel and three barrel models, such as this one. L. C. Smith took over the company in 1880 and continued manufacturing the Baker guns until 1888. The Baker guns had an interesting mechanism, with the action opened by pushing the front trigger forward, rather than using a separate lever as in most doubles. Their Three Barrel guns are a scarce example of an American made drilling, offered with 10 or 12 gauge barrels over .44-40 Winchester (with a very few chambered for other rifle cartridges). It is estimated that there were only about 1,300 of the Three Barrel guns made between 1880 and 1888. The guns were marketed as being able to take any kind of game, preventing the hunter from taking the wrong gun, as well as providing defense against predators when out hunting birds. The Quality No. 1 guns were initially offered at $75, but for an extra $5 you could get a pistol grip stock, such as is found on this gun.

This example is in good shape for its age of more than 140 years, retaining great mechanics and better bores than one might expect. It is not chambered for the common .44-40 cartridge, but for some sort of .41 caliber straight-wall cartridge (not .41 Colt). This is a scarce example of the L.C. Smith Three Barrel drilling and will certainly make a nice addition to a collection of Baker or L.C. Smith guns. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud